SRINAGAR: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan on Friday announced the establishment of a Clean Plant Centre in Kashmir, aimed at enhancing the quality, quantity of apple production in the region.
Speaking at the 6th Convocation of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-K) in Srinagar, Chauhan said Kashmir holds immense potential in apple cultivation but lacks sufficient high-quality planting material. “Yesterday, we decided to open a Green Plant Centre worth Rs 150 crore in Kashmir,” he said.
Highlighting the strides made in high-density apple farming, Chauhan noted that production has increased six-fold. He expressed his vision to expand the reach of Jammu and Kashmir’s apples globally, reducing the country’s dependence on imported apples.
During his address, the Union Minister praised SKUAST-K for its achievements and expressed optimism about its future rankings. “Before I leave, I want to inform the professors and students that very soon SKUAST-K will move from fifth to first rank among agricultural universities in India,” he said. He further added that with students from 20 different states studying at the institution, SKUAST-K has the potential to evolve into an international centre of agricultural education.
The minister further said that the graduating students must know that their studies have not completed but have begun now. “Now is the time for them to share and execute the knowledge which they have achieved from classrooms to laboratories.”
“Farming is the basics of Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of the country. Half of the population is earning and eating the bread by farming,” he added.
Underscoring the importance of agriculture in the country, the minister concluded, “Farming is the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir and India as a whole. Half of the population earns and lives through farming.” (KNO)
